Encouraging and equipping you to write about a God who is real, who is reachable, and who changes lives.

The Gift of Children

Eagerly we awaitedour first grandbaby’s birth.We praised Godas we held her in our armsless than an hour after she arrived.So tiny, so helpless, so dependent –and so immediately loved.

How difficult it must have beenfor Joseph and Mary’s parentsto wait several yearsto hold Jesus in their armsand not to even knowif Joseph and Maryand their grandchild were safe.

Today countless little oneswill never be held in the armsof their grandparents.Separated by the ravages of war,they will struggle to survivein refugee camps or on the streetsor as child slaves, prostitutes, or soldiers.

How can we best celebrate Jesus’ birth?By remembering how He held childrenin His arms and blessed them.By not forgetting the plightof children in crisis around the world,and by giving sacrificiallyeven as He gave Himself for us all.